California Dreaming

Canespace sent renowned blogger Orange and Green in the Vein (OGV) to the Emerald Nuts Bowl in San Francisco to cover the game, snap some photos and report on his activities inside and outside the stadium.  Here is his report...

After arriving in San Francisco on Friday my girlfriend and I toured the Fisherman's Wharf.  San Francisco is a gourgeous city to see so we tried to ignore some of the less savory characters and street trash while enjoying the view and not letting it distract us from our mission. 

Later, we met up with my friend from the Bay Area to grab some rest after the sightseeing.   I went to bed and awoke excited the next day to prepare for the reason we had traveled all the way to the Bay: The Emerald Bowl.

On game day we arrived late to the Alumni Association party at a swank sports bar across the street from the baseball park by the shore and got our tickets while scouting the room for the Don and the AD.  Neither could be found and sadly the cheerleaders had already been moved across the street to put on the thermal wear, so after a quick bite and a beverage we entered the stadium to find our seats.  This is where things got interesting.

First of all, it's a football game, host the dang thing in an actual football stadium.  There are two of them in the Bay Area so why not choose one and pay the costs to host there instead of shoe horning an exciting football game into a baseball stadium?  However the seats we had were awesome and the game started even though there was no customary smoke to run through for the Canes.

After a horrendously slow start to the first quater, the young Hurricanes played like warriors and made what appeared to be a game on it's way to a blow out into an incredibly tightly contested game down the stretch thanks to imroved pass protection on offense.  Defensively the line was way too hit and miss, for series doing decent to great jobs of getting penetration and firing through blitz lanes, then sudden lapses in run defense or letting crossing routes get into the soft middle belly of zone coverage for big gains. 

In person, the performance on the field supported what I had figured out after the Florida game.  The talent on this team is mostly confined to the underclassmen who are unfortuantely underdeveloped simply as a function of their youth.  However, given a year or two of weight training and conditioning under Coach Swasey (seen here) and the underclassmen willl be able to hang with anybody in the country. 

As of now, they have not been able to develop the consistant level of production needed to be great at the collegiate level.  This off-season will be critical to getting this team, and the players, to the next level.

The offensive and defensive lines also need a major influx of talent throughout the depth chart.  This is the problem that will take the longest to fix I fear, but it's also the most important problem that needs to be fixed in order to return the Hurricanes to the national prominance they have become accostomed to.

The Canes made an effort to tie the game at the end but it was not to be.  A failed two minute drive late in the fourth quarter ended the game and any chance of victory.  Oh, well they can keep their nuts and their bowl game while we look forward to 2009 and another season in search of an ACC title and set our sites once again on a national championship in 2010. 

GO CANES!

   

Comments

[pb(CSROH09)]

Still love me some Canes baby!!

[pb(CSROH09)]

And I'm leaving town so Happy New Year to the Canespace Nation.

[CanesgirlNC]

1st?

[BROWNSUB]

1st?? Get rid of Nix!

[SFCane]

Glad you had a great time in San Fran! It's a beautiful city. Great reporting!

[Esteban]

just misssed the cut on the old blog

and Alfredo Roberts is also now available since he was coaching at Cleveland too. Time for him to be announced as the OC!!

Posted by: Esteban | December 29, 2008 at 12:19 PM

[Esteban]

Mike Sullivan is also on that staff. 3 former canes were assistants there.

[CanesgirlNC]

LOL Este you are the blog head-hunter! I am putting you in charge of finding a new OC

[Esteban]

if anything Roberts can take over as TE coach - although i doubt he wants to take that pay cut. but never know

[Cat5 Cane]

I wonder how hard Randy is going to judge himself... it would have been a tough 2 years for anybody when being compared to the great history that Miami has. Throw in the black thing, with so many people are watching his every move and so much is riding on his shoulders to succeed... that I wonder if he wants to stay! It's a tough load with an even tougher fan base!

In Randy we trust, as the saying goes! Everyone expect perfection from a mere mortal man!... Good Luck Randy!

Go Canes!

[SOUP]

Mike Sullivan is also on that staff. 3 former canes were assistants there.

Posted by: Esteban | December 29, 2008 at 12:21 PM

U are correct! I posted that several weeks ago wit the link to the Browns coaching staff.

[LAcanefan]

Anyone notice that InsidetheU has been offline for a day or so? Recession casualty?

[scUM]

Lucky 13th

[SOUP]

ITU seems to be working fine? What are U talking about?

From Rudy at ITU:

"Miami’s clock management, for lack of better words, was atrocious as it has been for much of the season which can be directly attributed to Shannon. It happened in the first half as well as the ‘Canes took the ball from their own 37-yard line with 1:18 to play in the first half and all three timeouts. Miami didn’t call timeout until there were four seconds to play in the first half and the ‘Canes with a first down and ten as their own 48-yard line. Again, what is the explanation for this absolutely horrendous clock management?"

"That’s not Harris’ fault nor was that Robert Marve’s fault when he was at the helm. Decisions like that belong to the head coach in time management and the offensive coordinator in terms of play calling."

"Why isn’t Miami trying to score instead of running the clock out? It remains mind boggling, but it’s a continuation of the coaching gaffes that have plagued this team all season."

For more from Rudy at ITU go to:

http://www.insidetheu.com/blogs/?v=2

[SOUP]

Lucky 13th

Posted by: scUM | December 29, 2008 at 01:37 PM

Congrats on your BIG win!

[scUM]

Thanks SOUP but I'm not getting excited about blowing out a Big 10 team. The past two years have proven that win facing a decent to good team, a Big 10 team folds like a beach chair. But it was a fun game to watch I must admit.

[scUM]

when facing**

[brett6609]

blackthing or not randy must step up 2 da plate. im afro-american and ive been roting 4 randy from day1, however i must question some of his calls. sam shields, richard gordon, etc...... for god sake richard gordon runs a 4.4 sub 4.3, can sum1 say 10yards te curl. what lb can keep up with that guY? furthermore y does it seem like our players r getting knocked around??

[LAcanefan]

Wierd,

I couldn't access the page even through ESPN's link, now it works.

[SOUP]

They have server problems from time to time but the usually get it fixed ASAP.

[SOUP]

They are offering a $50 annual membership if U sign up by 12/31.

Just curious...How many here are members at ITU or are planning on signing up?

[pb(CSROH09)]

I wouldnt pay fifty cents to hear what that turd Rudy has to say.

Go Canes!

[J]

Can anybody here confirm something I heard regarding the best flexibility and agility man in the country?

[dlu]

A 10 yr. old could see that there was a sideline problem, ok , why? move on, why beat it to death? Well, I guess, people are saying it is endemic, an illlustration of the coaching problems. Could be more of a whose in charge of the 2 min. drill and time mangement situation. It looked like Shannon and Nix were both waiting for the other guy to take charge, and Harris was waiting on both of them. There has been no sense of urgency to win games , kind of like exhibition games. Why? no identity for the offense? Probably. Shannon has delegated to the extent of being an observer, looks like. What should Shannon do now? I do not know just thinking out loud. but new OC for sure.

[Esteban]

mike smith's positive qualities were talked about on the radio today - sounded like Shannon's. said he lets their OC have control of things. just different when the OC is a proven guy like mike mularkey instead of a pat nix.

[Mr Troutman]

I am finally back and Big Daddy Cane is on vacation.....

Now back to the matters at hand...

What I saw Saturday night at the end was the worse clock management I have ever seen at any level. Nix looked confused and inexperience. He had this "Did I Do that" look on his face when Shannon got in his a$$. In my mind he was just an experiment nothing else. Shannon will now go after a good OC not just a TEST RUN. He will take the same approach he did with his last DC WALTON and can him for someone that is a lot more qualified.

We have looked like a Below average team for the last four years now. When willthis madness stop! Maybe we are like JOB from the Bible who was hit with many sorrows before he reached the mountain top again.. Well only time will tell...

Anyways Shannon has long week to contemplate on who to get rid of. He knows he can not go 7-6 again because that will be his A$$ on the line next year. One things for sure when Your jobs in jeopardy U seem to have a little more pep in yuor step. In other words stop coaching like the overseer and lead like a Bill Parcel and get in not only your players behinds but your asst. coaches as well. Everyone is held accountable GOT DAMMIT!!!

[Esteban]

detroit even got some coaches that are attractive...jim colleto used to run a good offense at Purdue. Kippy Brown was good with the Fish - not great of course. they got a guy who coached here - their assistant strength and conditioning coach - Kevin Tolbert.

[bg1906]

I have ITU subscription.

[bg1906]

J,

That flexibility guy, did you here he's a goner?

[Esteban]

ITU didn't work for me when i went to that link.

[bg1906]

Yeah ITU is down right now. Did anyone listen to the Rueben Randle interview I posted yesterday? He sorta of smiled when the interviewer mentioned The U. Didn't smile at all when they mentioned the other schools. I know it means nothing but it was good to see.

[Esteban]

bg, you know you're my boy and all...but i think that was seeing things with the wishful thinking goggles. hopefully it does have some meaning to it though.

[86Cane]

Thanks 1906. Here is the list of Canespacers who are also ITU subscribers:

bg1906
SolarCane
RoachCane
CGNC
86Cane

Are there others?

[bg1906]

Este,

I know man. But you never know! LOL. Hopefully DMitch is working on him! LOL

[J]

Info not through regulars so not going to put unsubstantiated stuff out there but I am not surprised that he is very well respected in the profession

[bg1906]

J,

Yeah, good potential professional.

[rebirth]

If Randy is planning on staying on a HC long -term he better learn how to properly manage a football game. His lack of feel for a game is astounding. I have never in my life seen a head coach do a worse job than Shannon did at the end of the first half and to end the game. NEVER! I cant even put into words how bad that was. My 13 year old son playing Madden on playstation could do a better job than that. It is unfathomable how a man whose been around all these great coaches and in year TWO of his own coaching career doesnt even know the BASICS of clock management. Do they even practice a 2 minute drill, what the hell were they doing?!!? What an embarrassment.

Then we hear that is actually Nix's responsibility to call the timeouts? What the hell is Shannon doing then? Just standing there? Let me get this straight, he allows Nix, a man who he's pretty sure he's going to let go at the end of the season to work the 2-min. drill AND work the clock? WTF is he thinking?

Then, to top it off- SHANNON CALLS TIMEOUT WHEN THE CLOCK WAS ALREADY STOPPED!!!!

I almost threw my tv out the window after seeing that BS. Shannon has a lot of work....a TON of learning to do to even become a MEDICORE HC, right now, hes downright AWFUL. His credibility as a HC took a HUGE hit with that trainwreck Saturday night.

Then, for an encore, Shannon blames it on Zellner and other players not knowing the formations and answers "no" when asked if he would've handled the end of the game differently..ARE YOU F'N KIDDING ME!!!! And this is a guy who preaches accountability? Unreal.

Sorry for the rant you can bash me all you want but this is how I feel even after a few days to 'cool off'. I've seen all I needed to see from Shannon to know he is not the man to bring this program back to the top. Its nothing against him as a man, its strictly business.

Why are we no longer a great program? Well you combine the horrible coaching with a mickey mouse Strength and Conditioning program and you get this.

I hate to lash out like this but it breaks my heart to see the program like this and what happened at the end of the game on Saturday was in excusable.

[86Cane]

rebirth...now, how do U REALLY feel? LOL

[CanesgirlNC]

LOL - now I have seen everything....

http://www.sockandawe.com/

[bg1906]

CGNC,

Too funny and fun to play! LOL

[CanesgirlNC]

rebirth - LOL you can rant all you want - you are family. I am tired of the type of seasons we have had also. Seems like forever ago that we were a force to be reckoned with. I don't think Swasey is the issue. This is his resume:

Coaching Experience
2001-06 University of Miami (head strength and conditioning coach)
2000 University of Miami (co-head strength and conditioning coach)
1999 University of Houston (defensive backs coach)
1997-98 University of Miami (assistant strength and conditioning coach)
1995-97 Copperas Cove (Texas) High School (defensive backs coach)

Players have to be accountable and support each other. This is coming. Like Sean Taylor used to push Clinton Portis "don't count the reps, make the reps count'

[J]

FYI: Auburn sites are reporting that Nix has been fired (wish people would stop using that work since his contract has expired).

Note: Young's hiring was first reported on KS website.

[CanesgirlNC]

bg - I was dying when I saw it, I need a new game for my page, dunno if 86 will go for it - LMAO

[J]

Swasey is great at what he does - agility, flexibility, and conditioning. His frustration with not having the resources may have worn thin.

[bg1906]

Over on Grassy where rumors run rampant, someone is reporting that in the Auburn forums, a Nix family member is saying that Nix has already been let go.

JUST A RUMOR....For Now!

[dlu]

My solution, fire Young, Randy takes over dc and finally has a real job that he has experience doing. Fire Nix , use the money saved taking over DC , combine the money and get the best oc available. Get an Cane idendity on defense and offense get more emotion and exceitment on the field. Do I really believe that, hell no. Just brain storming.

[bg1906]

J agreed. His pockets won't hurt though.

[cnzfnafanPA]

Recent Subscriber to ITU

[CanesgirlNC]

J - resources as in players or facilities?

[J]

Not anymore - state schools print money